Engaging STEM opportunities abound for San Diego kids and families. Find fun science experiments, DIY STEM activities, how to become a citizen scientist in your community, science opportunities for girls and more. Full STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) ahead!
First, don't miss the the 2025 San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering on March 1 at Petco Park. It's FREE and open to the public (no registration required). Peruse 150 exhibitors, hands-on STEAM activities for all ages, two stages with live entertainment and more. Get details and read “know before you go” at www.lovestemsd.org.
"Full STEAM Ahead" Science Activities for Kids
STEAM Bingo: Challenge kids to spell STEAM on this free, printable STEM bingo card by completing activities in each category.
15-Minute STEM Activities: With just a few minutes and some inexpensive supplies, young scientists will be engaged and challenged with these ideas.
DIY STEM Kits for Kids: Learn how to create DIY STEM kits for young innovators in grades K–6, including tangram kits, catapult kits, geoboard kits and more.
Celebratory STEAM: Integrate science, technology, engineering, art and math into celebrations and party plans with these fun activities.
STEM for Your Health: Encourage healthy living with these kid-friendly STEM activities.
Science Opportunities for Girls
Expanding Your Horizons Network of San Diego
An annual science, math and engineering conference for San Diego girls in grades 6–10. Featuring workshops, talks and activities with local STEM professionals. Fun and interactive, this conference aims to get girls interested in STEM careers.
BE WISE at The Fleet
BE WISE (Better Education for Women in Science and Engineering) gives girls in grades 7–12 opportunties to engage in STEM learning experiences and be inspired to pursue STEM-related careers. Apply for the program online.
SciTech at The Fleet
This afterschool program for San Diego County girls in grades 4–6 encourages and inspires participants to become innovative and creative thinkers in science, technology and engineering. Visit website to apply.
All Girls STEM Society
Monthly STEM-related events around San Diego for girls in grades 3–8. The program is run largely by local high school girls, making it even more fun and inspiring for younger students.
Become a Citizen Scientist
Scientists rely on volunteers and everyday people like us to observe and report what they see in their own backyards, neighborhoods and surrounding community. These citizen science programs make reporting data fun, easy and doable for families.
Project FeederWatch
Put up a bird feeder in your yard, start counting birds and enter your data! Find tons of interesting information on the Cornell Lab Project FeederWatch site, plus a participation map and Cornell FeederWatch Cam.
National Wildlife Federation
Families can get involved with NWF citizen scientist programs such as Fun with Frogs, the Beauty of Birds, Monarch Mayhem and more.
More Ways to Engage Kids in Science Activities
Fun Places that Expose Kids to STEM Learning
Experiential learning opportunities abound! No need to wait for a class field trip — take the kids on one of these local field trips or day trips for a fun day of STEM learning.
Maker-Minded: Raising DIY Kids
Great ideas for preschoolers, elementary school kids and entrepreneurial middle schoolers who love to build, fix, tinker, create, design, make and invent.
3M Young Scientist Lab
Activities and annual Young Scientst Challenge inspire the next generation of innovators in grades K–8.
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Lisa Gipson is San Diego Family's managing editor.
